The Journal. Meta Settles With Trump for $25 Million
27 snips
Jan 30, 2025 
Rebecca Ballhaus, a WSJ reporter, dives into the surprising $25 million settlement between Meta and Donald Trump following the fallout from the January 6 riot. She reveals how this legal action stems from Trump's accusations of censorship. The conversation touches on the complex dynamics of tech companies and politics, including a behind-the-scenes look at a pivotal dinner between Trump and Zuckerberg. Ballhaus also discusses the broader implications for corporate-public relations in today's charged political climate.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Zuckerberg and Trump's Early Relationship
- Weeks after the 2016 election, Mark Zuckerberg dined with then President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
- This dinner was part of Meta's efforts to court Trump, despite past criticisms.
Post January 6th Account Suspension
- Following the January 6th Capitol attack, tech companies, including Meta, suspended Trump's accounts.
- The stated reason was to mitigate risks associated with Trump's online activity.
Trump's Lawsuit Strategy
- Trump filed lawsuits against Meta, YouTube, and Twitter, claiming censorship after his accounts were suspended.
- These lawsuits were perceived as a strategy to put Trump on the offensive.